SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Charlie McCoy 3-1: Nevin bred this improving late-starting 3yo..
Next Best: #6 Call Me a Star SCR’D: Firing at PRX since spring freshening..
Best Value: #8 Bluegrass Express 20-1: Turns back to preferred trip..
Exotics Use: #11 Candy Zip 12-1: Making 3yo debut for Rivelli..
SCR Sub: #10 Freud’s Affair 15-1

6th: NY-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-OFF/TURF(NYRA Bets P5, P3, DD)

If J. Ortiz is allowed to get away with murder up front on Conquest Hardcandy, there’s going to be a problem. Will count on Saez to apply pressure with Out of Trouble. Broken Border has been running the exact same race repeatedly for 18 months. Belle of the Spa improved like a 3yo to 4yo should. Take note that that Bruce Levine has moved Vortex Road nicely off Jorge Navarro. She would have been some fabulous claim for $7.5 or 8k last November..

OFF/TURF: 1-3-4

7th: CLM, F&M-3+, 8.5f-OFF/TURF(P4, P3, DD)

OFF/TURF: 3-11-1

8th: OC/N2X, 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

This is an ALW of authentic quality..

Most Likely: #4 Uncle Mojo 5-2
Best Value: #1 Sir Ballantine 5-1
Next Best: #8 Virtual Machine 9-2
Exotics Use: #5 Papa Shot 8-1

9th: Curlin, 3yo, 9f (DD)

Does Hofburg ‘have to win’? No, especially since there isn’t pace to close in to. But he obviously has a class edge and may simply overwhelm this group. American Lincoln & Nicodemus are the new faces with upside and Madison’s Luna will lead them in to the turn for home..

Most Likely: #1 Hofburg 1-2
Best Value: #5 American Lincoln 12-1
Next Best: #2 Madison’s Luna 4-1
Exotics Use: #4 Nicodemus 10-1

10th: NY-MCLM/$25k, 3+, 6.5f

This happens to be a group of far-from-hopeless NYB fillies. Very bettable with 5-6 major players. Zecha could cap a huge day for Flying P & Levine (Vortex Road, Flowers for Lisa earlier)..

Most Likely: #3 Zecha 8-1
Best Value: #6 Third Card Down 10-1
Next Best: #9 Aly’s All Out 6-1
Exotics Use: #11 Wappinger 7-2

P5 Grid:

6: 1-3-4-6-7 (A), – (B), – (C)
7: 3-11 (A), – (B), 1-6-10 (C)
8: 1-4 (A), – (B), 5-8 (C)
9: 1 (A), 5 (B), – (C)
10: 3-6 (A), 9 (B), 1-4-11 (C)

Simple (A+B): 5x2x2x2x3 = 120 x .50 = $60
All A’s: 5x2x2x1x2 = 40 x .50 = $20

P4 Grid:

7: 1-3-6-10-11 (A), – (B), – (C)
8: 1-4 (A), – (B), 5-8 (C)
9: 1 (A), 5 (B), – (C)
10: 3-6-9-11 (A), 1-4-10-15 (B), – (C)

Simple (A+B): 5x2x2x8 = 160 x .50 = $80
All A’s: 5x2x1x4 = 40 x .50 = $20

Good luck!
Steve

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: NY-MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P6, P3, DD)

$249k P6 C/O starts here..

A state-bred juvy jumble. Many mixed messages in pedigrees/works/trainer stats. Watch board for clues..

Best Value: #5 Collegeville Girl 15-1 WON ($20.80)
Next Best: #2 Evan’s Nice Now 5-1 4th
Exotics Use: #9 Chillinwithfriends 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #6 Time Warp 6-1 8th

6th: OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 6f (NYRA Bets P5, G/S, P3, DD)

VERY nice group with many seemingly intent on the lead. Who can stalk up close and finish is the question..

Most Likely: #4 Purrfect Miss 7-2 5th
Next Best: #5 Pray for Leslie 8-5 4th
Best Value: #1 Play Unified 6-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Come Dancing 5-2 WON ($6.60)

7th: S/ALW, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Ridiculously well-matched group..

Best Value: #4 Aikenetta 10-1 5th
Next Best: ##5 Sweet Connie Girl 9-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Hollywood Cat 2-1 4th
Super Add: #11 Codrington 5-1 7th

8th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD)

Predictably tough state bred turf ALW, frequently the most productive price races of the meet. Here, the obvious major players look strong with 3 of them (Mascarello-Royal Blessing-Morrison) returning to own kind from open company challenges..

Most Likely: #7 Royal Blessing 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #1a (POE) Fox Rules 5-2 6th
Next Best: #4 Mo Diddley 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #8 Morrison 4-1 WON ($9.40)

9th: 27th Honorable Miss (G2), F&M-3+, 6f (DD)

Finley’s lone beat at 6f (7/6-1-0) came in this event last year, though she was a more headstrong type at that time. Kirby’s Penny is 2/2 here (on both dry/fast and wet) and still improving at 5. Vertical Oak owns 2 Spa tallies and tries hard. Chalon SCR’Dmay be speed of the speed for sprint ace Delacour. Faypien was 2nd in the Test last year but doesn’t appear to have improved much with maturity. Dallas Stewart taking a shot with Thirteen Songs who is field’s lone late runner..

Most Likely: #6 Finley’sluckycharm WON ($3.90)
Best Value: #1 Vertical Oak 2nd
Next Best: #3 Kirby’s Penny 3rd

10th: MCLM/$40k, 3+, 8.5f-IT

Favored #2 Moneigh Moproblems (5-2) is OK and needs to be used defensively, but is win shy and there’s several eligible to score at nice numbers..

Best Value: #9 Novus 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #11 Four Knights 9-2 WON ($7.90)
Exotics Use: #5 Union Ranks 7-2 7th
Super Add: #7 Spring On Curlin 5-1 4th

P6 Grid:

5: 2-5(A), 6-9 (B), 3-7 (C)
6: 4-5 (A), 1-6(B), 3 (C)
7: 4-5-6 (A), – (B), 1-8-11 (C)
8: 7 (A), – (B), 1-4-8(C)
9: 6(A), – (B), 1-3-5 (C)
10: 9-11(A), – (B), 5-7 (C)

Simple (A+B): 4x4x3x1x1x2 = 96 x $2 = $192
All A’s: 2x2x3x1x1x2 = 24 x $2 = $48

P6 P5 Grid:

6: 4-5 (A), 1-6(B), 3 (C)
7: 4-5-6 (A), 1-8-11 (B), – (C)
8: 1-4-7 (A), – (B), 5-8(C)
9: 6(A), – (B), 1-3-5 (C)
10: 9-11(A), – (B), 2-5-6-7 (C)

Simple (A+B): 4x6x3x1x2 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A’s: 2x3x3x1x2 = 36 x .50 = $18

P4 Grid:

7: 4-5-6 (A), 1-8-11 (B), – (C)
8: 1-4-7-8(A), – (B), 5-8 (C)
9: 6(A), – (B), 1-3-5 (C)
10: 5-9-11(A), 2-6-7 (B), – (C)

Simple (A+B): 6x4x1x6 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A’s: 3x4x1x3 = 36 x .50 = $18

$0.50 Pick-4 (1/8/2,6/11) Paid $151.75

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: MSW, 3+, 9f (P6, P3, DD)

Pedigrees on parade including Rachel Alexandra’s half brother (Wooderson), BC Distaff winner Pleasant Home 3yo by Orb (Domain), Barbara Fritchie winner Royal Michele 4yo (Zealous), 3x G2 winner Miss Isella 3yo (Point to Remember) and more..

Most Likely: #8 Point to Remember 7-2
Best Value: #7 Top Me Off 20-1
Next Best: #5 Domain 2-1
Exotics Use: #3 Stealth 8-1

6th: S/ALW, 3+, 5.5f-T (NYRA Bets P5, G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Bam Bam Blu 3-1
Next Best: ##4 Wet Your Whistle 6-1
Best Value: #1 Heldatgunpoint 15-1
Exotics Use: #8 Fuel the Bern 7-2

7th: MSW, F&M-3+, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #9 Big Birthday 5-2
Next Best: #1 Mybigitalianfriend 6-1
Best Value: #6 Say It Softly 20-1
Exotics Use: #4 French Empire 6-1

8th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Dancing Breeze 5-2
Best Value: #4 Queen Mum 8-1
Next Best: #6 Lion in Wait 4-1
Exotics Use: #10 Jaunt 6-1

9th: 101st Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), 3yo-F, 9f (DD)

Taking a flyer here on Gio Game who has been held back from other 3yo-F spots for this. She’s still moving forward and can press Monomoy Girl from the bell or go if fave takes back. Bisou gets back to 2 turns and can sit and see how things unfold..

Best Value: #5 Gio Game 10-1
Next Best: #2 Midnight Bisou 7-5
Exotics Use: #4 Monomoy Girl 4-5

10th: MSW, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

Best Value: #4 Tap Tap Taparoo 6-1
Next Best: #9 Competitionofideas 5-2
Exotics Use: #2 Compression 4-1
Super Add: #3 Asticou Trail 5-1

P5 Grid:

6: 4-5 (A), – (B), 1-3-7-8 (C)
7: 1-9 (A), 6 (B), 3-5-8 (C)
8: 4-5 (A), 6-10 (B), 7-9 (C)
9: 2-4-5 (A), – (B), 1-3 (C)
10: 2-4-9 (A), – (B), 1-3 (C)

Simple (A+B): 2x3x4x3x3 = 216 x .50 = $108
All A’s: 2x2x3x3 = 36 x .50 = $18

P4 Grid:

7: 1-9 (A), 3-6 (B), 5-8 (C)
8: 4-5 (A), 6-10 (B), 7-9 (C)
9: 2-4-5 (A), – (B), 1-3 (C)
10: 2-4-9 (A), – (B), 1-3 (C)

Simple (A+B): 4x4x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A’s: 2x2x3x3 = 36 x .50 = $18

Good luck!
Steve

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: CLM, 3+, 6.5f (P5, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1a (POE) Forge 8-5 2nd/3rd
Best Value: #2 Knights Key 8-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Helooksthepart 7-2 6th
Exotics Use: #4 Always a Suspect 8-1 WON ($16.20)

2nd: MSW, 2yo, 8.5f-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #8 Digital Footprint 5-2: Brown/Klarman FTS o/o LDK mare..2nd
Best Value: #6 My Macho 10-1: Karlovy Vary half moves to lawn..6th
Next Best: #1 Sir Winston 8-1 9th
Exotics Use: #5 One Mission 15-1 4th

3rd: Opt CLM/$80k, 3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #5 Behavioral Bias 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Awesome Slew 9-5 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 Rally Cry 5-2 4th

4th: MSW, F&M-3+, 9.5f-T (P3, DD)

Hoping Jose Ortiz is in control up front with Agreeable..

Most Likely: #3 Agreeable 3-1 4th
Best Value: #5 Gentle Ruler 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #7 Windjammer 5-1 7th
Exotics Use: #4 War Cabinet 8-1 WON ($7.60)

5th: CLM, 3yo-F, 6f (P3, DD)

It’s the triple whammy on Karen’s Girl, dropping down, cutting back while moving turf to dirt. Shape ShifterSCR’Dthe horse to beat..

Most Likely: #3 Karen’s Gem 5-1 3rd
Best Value: #7 Aggregator 6-1 4th
Next Best #9 Our Girl Abby 4-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #6 Miss Katie Bug 3-1 7th

P5 Grid:

1: 1 (A), 2 (B), 4(C)
2: 6-8 (A), – (B), 1-3-9-10(C)
3: 3-4-5 (A), – (B), 1(C)
4: 3-5-7 (A), 2-4-6 (B), 1-8 (C)
5: 3-7 (A), – (B), 6-9 (C)

Simple (A+B): 2x2x3x6x2 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A’s: 1x2x3x3x2 = 36 x .50 = $18

P4 Grid:

2: 6-8 (A), 1 (B), 3-9-10(C)
3: 3-4-5 (A), 1(B), – (C)
4: 3-5-7 (A), 2-4-6 (B), 1-8 (C)
5: 3-8 (A), – (B), 7-9 (C)

Simple (A+B): 3x4x6x2 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A’s: 2x3x3x2 = 36 x .50 = $18

6th: MSW, 2yo, 5.5f (P6, P3, DD)

2nd to Sanford-entered Strike Silver in debut, Nitrouscomes to Spa with high marks and big expectations. But lurking in the weeds are 3 Into Mischiefs (3 Binary-4 Markwet King-10 Most Mischief), “distinctive looking” (OK, freaky, odd, cow-faced) Southern Phantom (Bodemeister) & Hill ‘n’ Dale stallion showcase players Puttheglassdown (Violence) & Cromwell Avenue (Flashback). Coast SCR’Dis a factor should he draw in too..

Most Likely: #2 Nitrous 2-1 WON ($3.70)
Best Value: #9 Cromwell Avenue 15-1 6th-DH
Next Best: #3 Binary 7-2 4th
Super Add: #8 Southern Phantom 10-1 5th

7th: Opt CLM/$80k, 4+, 9f-IT (NYRA Bets P5, G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Silverwave 3-1 5th
Best Value: #4 Hello Don Julio 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Call Provision 2-1 WON ($5.30)
Exotics Use: #8 Rocketry 5-2 3rd

8th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #10 Battle Joined 6-1 WON ($6.40)
Next Best: #3 Really Proud 7-2 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Conquest Tizfire 3-1 2nd
Super Add: #1 Le Natural 10-1 3rd

9th: 103rd Sanford (G3), 2yo, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #8 Strike Silver 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Sombeyay 2-1 WON ($7.70)
Best Value: #6 Chase Greatness 8-1 7th
Exotics Use: #2 Lexitonian 3-1 6th

10th: 80th Diana (G1), F&M-3+, 9f-T (DD)

Best Value: #2 Proctor’s Ledge 4-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Sistercharlie 9-5 WON ($4.30)
Exotics Use: #6 A Raving Beauty 2-1 3rd
Super Add: #5 Ultra Brat 8-1 2nd

11th: CLM, 3+, 1m-IT

Brutal end to card. Crazily competitive..

Best Value: #2 Thatcher Street 8-1 4th
Next Best: #8 Souperfast 5-1 6th
Exotics Use: #11 Team Colors 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #6 Monster Bea 6-1 7th

P5 Grid:

7: 4-7 (A), – (B), 1-8 (C)
8: 3-10(A), – (B), 1-6-11 (C)
9: 1-8 (A), 2-6 (B), 3-4-7 (C)
10: 1-2 (A), 6 (B), 3-5-7 (C)
11: 2-8-11 (A), – (B), 1-6-9 (C)

Simple (A+B): 2x2x4x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A’s: 2x2x2x2x3 = 48 x .50 = $24

P4 Grid:

8: 3-10(A), – (B), 1-6-11 (C)
9: 1-8 (A), 2-6 (B), 3-4-7 (C)
10: 1-2-6 (A), – (B), 3-5-7 (C)
11: 2-8-11 (A), 1-6-9 (B), 3-10(C)

Simple (A+B): 2x4x3x6 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A’s: 2x2x3x3 = 36 x .50 = $18

An idyllic day greets Spa-goers and stakeholders for opening day at historic and welcoming Saratoga Race Course.. Best to all for safe trips and 40 blissful afternoons!

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: CLM, 3+, 9f (P5, P3, DD)

Quirky opener to the season with distance a question for all but Turco Bravo..

Best Value: #7 Hardly a Secret 4-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Believe in Luck 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #2 Nobody Move 3-1 7th
Super Add: #6 Bad Student 9-2 WON ($13.80)

2nd: NY-MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Drynachan 5-2 WON ($6.20)
Next Best: #9 Mike’s Girl 9-2 4th
Best Value: #5 Shady Shady Shady 8-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #10 Bank Examiner 5-1 8th

3rd: CLM/N2L, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Strong Side 2-1 WON ($5.80)
Next Best: #4 Sicilia Mike 4-1 4th
Best Value: #8 Fortythreeoeight N 8-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Monteleone 5-2 6th

4th: MCLM/$75k, 3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Azzedine 5-2 5th
Best Value: #8 Eagle Pass 6-1 4th
Next Best: #9 Teryn It Up 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 Dominant Strategy 4-1 WON ($11.00)

5th: MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Lyrical Lady 4-1 WON ($15.80)
Next Best: #1 Blahnik 2-1 10th
Best Value: #7 Princess Trina 8-1 9th
Exotics Use: #3 Wild Type 6-1 7th

P5 Grid:

1: 2-5-6-7 (A), – (B), 1-3-4 (C)
2: 4-9 (A), – (B), 1-5-7-10 (C)
3: 2-4 (A), 6-8 (B), 1-3 (C)
4: 6 (A), – (B), 4-8-9 (C)
5: 1-6(A), 3-7 (B), – (C)

Simple (A+B):4x2x4x1x4 = 128 x .50 = $64
All A’s: 4x2x2x1x2 = 32 x .50 = $16

$0.50 Pick-5 (6/4,11,12,13/2/4/6) Paid $1,040.00(A-A-A-C-A ~ $172 play)

P4 Grid:

2: 4-9 (A), – (B), 1-5-7-10 (C)
3: 2-4-6-8 (A), – (B), 1-3 (C)
4: 6 (A), 8-9 (B), 3-4-5 (C)
5: 1-3-6-7-9 (A), – (B), – (C)

Simple (A+B): 2x4x3x5 = 120 x .50 = $60
All A’s: 2x4x1x5 = 40 x .50 = $20

$0.50 Pick-4 (4,11,12,13/2/4/6) Paid $170.25(A-A-C-A ~ $170 play)

6th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P5, G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Miss Mimosa 3-1 6th
Best Value: #10 Palladian Bridge 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Dancing All Night 9-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #5 Cypiana 7-2 7th

7th: NY-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Myhartblongstodady 9-2 2nd
Best Value: #12 Giant Zinger 5-1 WON ($10.40)
Exotics Use: #2 Sweet August Lady 6-1 5th
Super Add: #3 Cumbria 4-1 10th

8th: 100th Schuylerville (G3), 2yo-F, 6f (P3, DD)

Supremely well-matched set of fillies for the centennial running of this traditional Spa Stakes slate. A good deal of mystery involved with 6 of the 9 having run outside New York ahead of this assignment. Virtually any superfecta combination appears possible..

Best Value: #6 Tapping Pearl 10-1: Debuted, won at the 6f, plus angle for early SAR stakes..9th
Next Best: #2 Nonna Madeline 7-2: Pletch/Repole/Viola miss negotiated traffic..2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Catherinethegreat 7-2: “Fastest” coming in but first on dry/fast..WON ($8.40)
Super Add: #9 Lady Apple 8-1: Talented MDN was hard luck Astoria loser..5th

9th: 23rd Lake George (G3), 3yo-F, 8.5f-T (DD)

Pace looks pokey..

Most Likely: #5 Goodthingstaketime 7-2 3rd
Best Value: #1 Punked 5-1 7th
Next Best: #3 Daddy Is a Legend 9-5 WON ($5.30)
Exotics Use: #7 Altea 3-1 2nd

10th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 8.5f-IT

In one of opening day’s most interesting confluences, 5yo Dark Energy runs 3.5 hours after 3yo half brother Dominant Strategy..

Most Likely: #8 County Court 5-2 –
Best Value: #2 Dark Energy 10-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Shamsaan 10-1 –
Exotics Use: #4 Jo’s Bold Cat 12-1 4th

P5 Grid:

6: 4-10 (A), – (B), 1-2-5-6 (C)
7: 1-12(A), – (B), 2-3 (C)
8: 1-2-6 (A), 3-7-9 (B), 4-5-8-10 (C)
9: 1-5 (A), 3-7 (B), 6-8 (C)
10: 2-8 (A), – (B), 4-7 (C)

Simple (A+B): 2x2x6x4x2 = 192 x .50 = $96
All A’s: 2x2x3x2x2 = 48 x .50 = $24

P4 Grid:

7: 1-2-12(A), – (B), 3-5-10 (C)
8: 1-2-6 (A), 3-7-9 (B), 4-5-8-10 (C)
9: 1-5 (A), 3-7 (B), 6-8 (C)
10: 2-8 (A), – (B), 4-7 (C)

Simple (A+B): 3x6x4x2 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A’s: 3x3x2x2 = 36 x .50 = $18